Image from Distracted Driving poster by WorkSafeBC, ICBC, RCMP, and partners
Twenty-five percent of all motor vehicle crashes each year in BC can be attributed to distracted driving. Cell phones and other wireless devices are the number one cause of these distractions.
The 2013 campaign against distracted driving aims to raise awareness of these facts.
WorkSafeBC, ICBC, the RCMP, and other road safety partners launched their annual campaign on September 5, 2013. They are targeting drivers – including the grey fleet (i.e,. people who drive their own vehicles while on the job).
Driving workers keeping in touch
Driving workers include couriers and truck drivers – who drive for most of their shift – along with salespeople, home care workers, utility workers, and many others. Often they travel on highways or go across town into unfamiliar areas, so they need a safety plan for checking their electronics to find their way and stay in touch.
WorkSafeBC and their partners are asking employers to take a strong stance against distracted driving. One way to do this is by creating a company policy like this one, below, available (with other resources) at WorkSafeBC’s Distracted Driving web page.
The sample policy reads:
Managers, employees, contractors, and other workers are prohibited from holding, operating, communicating, or watching the screen of a hand-held communication device:
• While driving a company vehicle
• While driving a personal vehicle to conduct business on behalf of the company
• While driving on company property
• While operating mobile equipment, such as a forklift
This policy includes cell phones, smartphones, laptops, tablet computers, MP3 players, and any other electronic devices. It applies to the use of either personal or company-issued vehicles.
Employers’ responsibility
Consider the situation in which employers know their workers are using mobile devices on the road. If the worker has an accident, and the employer knew (or even encouraged) the use of handheld devices, the employer can also be held at fault.
“If the leadership of the organization was aware that conducting business while driving was a known, common practice and either it allowed to continue or actively encouraged it, the consequences can be very grave for you and your company,” says FIOSA-MIOSA’s Chris Webber in a message from the BC Safety Charter.
A reader sent me a link to the It Can Wait campaign from Verizon Communications. They are asking drivers to make a pledge not to text and drive – and the pledges can be made online in many different ways.
Thank you for approaching this very important subject with some implications to the work site; where ever that may be! I think we all have heard the message not to text and drive (or talk and drive) — but what does it mean for workers who are on the road and their phones continue to beep, chime, ding and such. My fiance is one of these workers! He’s always on the road … and always on his phone.
What do you think about ‘Texting Zones’ (http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/09/highway-texting-zones-unveiled-in-new-york.html). I think it’s a great idea! As per the article, no new infrastructure was needed — they just “re-signed” the rest areas. Much like smoking control, the texting habit can wait.
This is a great reminder that one of the most hazardous acts possible (chatting/texting while driving) can have serious consequences for both workers and employers (not to mention other drivers on the road).
Another great resource for organizations who want to develop their own road safety program can be found at http://www.roadsafetyatwork.ca. This website, developed by industry for industry, was resourced by WorkSafeBC and BCAA Road Safety Foundation, and provides tools that are applicable to all employers with fleets, including the “grey” fleet mentioned in the article. Good stuff!
Thanks Steve. I’m just finishing a post on resources offered by roadsafetyatwork.ca